In Shkodër, the three-day meeting “FloodNorthALB” took place, with representatives from 9 European countries and the National Civil Protection Agency.
“FloodNorthALB” is one of the European Union’s programs aimed at improving civil protection readiness in Albania and testing the country’s capacity to deal with flood-related situations, particularly in the Shkodër region.
The lowlands of Shkodër are the most affected region in Albania by floods over the past 15 years, which have endangered the lives of residents and the area’s economy.
The meeting of experts from European countries and Albania’s National Civil Protection Agency was preceded midweek by a storm that paralyzed life in the Shkodër region for several hours, accompanied by one fatality. This serves as a warning of the recurring flood risks in this region, which has faced successive floods over the past 15 years, endangering lives and the economy.
Mariangela Pelliccia, an expert with the European Civil Protection Mechanism, says the EU is working with authorities and experts to increase flood risk preparedness in Albania, particularly in the Shkodër region.
“’FloodNorthALB’,” said the expert, “is one of the most important preparedness programs of the European Civil Protection Mechanism in Albania, a program that provides support to mitigate flood risks, especially in the Shkodër region. We are working with experts and authorities to prepare them to face flood risks and save lives.”
According to Leonard Qyra, the Director of Readiness at the National Civil Protection Agency, in addition to the Shkodër region, the areas of Lezhë, Durrës, Berat, Gjirokastër, Vlorë, and Fier are also at risk of flooding. In some of these areas, investments have been made in recent years to improve protective infrastructure.
“After 2010, several structural changes have taken place, which are preventive measures regarding floods. There are structural investments to strengthen river dams or clean channels, which usually contribute to flooding. We have also improved the early warning system, which is a crucial element in flooding to inform the population to take precautionary measures,” he said.
Despite the improvements in recent years, Director Qyra stated that Albania still needs to strengthen its human and material capacities to cope with flood-related risks.
“Of course, Albania has capacities. In cooperation with international partners, we have strengthened these capacities. But, nonetheless, no country, including ours, has sufficient capacities for dealing with natural disasters. This is why we conduct drills, collaborate, and participate in the European civil protection mechanism, so that in the event of a natural disaster or massive flood, we can join forces with other countries to assist the population.”
Despite the investments made in the Shkodër region after the massive floods of 2010, Shkodër continues to be the most at-risk region in Albania for flooding.
This is due not only to recent climate changes but also to rainfall exceeding 3,000 millimeters during the annual average in the mountainous part of the watershed, as well as the four hydropower plants located in the north of the country, which discharge water into the Nënshkodër area.